The Department of Lands and Natural Resources would like to advise that 2022 sample results recently received from Environment and Climate Change Canada indicate lower levels of oil contaminants in seabird eggs from Postville and Nain than observed in 2021.
While this is encouraging news, the information has been provided to Health Canada for further analysis. Oil toxicity is complex, depending on the levels of many different compounds, so this analysis is necessary before new information can be provided on potential human health
impacts.
Following a diesel spill of 3,000 litres in Kaikopok Bay near Postville in 2020, the Nunatsiavut Government, in collaboration with ECCC, began testing for oil contaminants to determine any long-term, lasting impacts. Results of the analyses showed elevated levels of oil compounds in Postville compared to Nain, and elevated levels in both communities for 2021.
Residents of the Labrador Inuit Land Claims requiring more information, are asked to please contact Frédéric Dwyer-Samuel, Environmental Assessment Manager with Nunatsiavut Government at (709) 922-2380 extension 227.